News

07/11/2011 2:50 PM - Rockford, Ill. - The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with forward Rob Klinkhammer on a one-year contract, and goaltender Alec Richards on a two-year contract.

Klinkhammer, 24, ranks third on the IceHogs all-time games played list with 224 contests. The Lethbridge, Alberta native notched career-highs in goals (17) and points (46), to go along with his team-best +14 plus/minus rating during 76 games in 2010-11.

The winger also made his National Hockey League debut on Dec. 8, 2010 as the Blackhawks knocked off the Dallas Stars 5-3. Klinkhammer logged 11:36 of ice time and registered one shot with a +1 plus/minus rating.

Over parts of four American Hockey League seasons he has registered 126 points (54g-72a) in 290 regular-season tilts with the Norfolk Admirals (2007-08) and Rockford (2008-11) and three points (1g-2a) in eight postseason contests with the IceHogs.

Richards set IceHogs rookie goaltending records for games (44), wins (17), lowest GAA (2.89), save percentage (.899) and shutouts (2) in 2010-11. The Robbinsdale, Minnesota native posted a 17-21-2 mark between the pipes for the IceHogs.

The 23 year-old netminder spent the majority of the 2009-10 season with the Toledo Walleye, recording a 17-12-5 record with a .897 save percentage and 3.35 goals against average. Before turning pro, Richards compiled 39 wins and a 2.68 goals against average to rank second all-time at Yale University.